DEL REY, CA — Special districts in the Central Valley and across the state recognized Friday State Senator Melissa Hurtado as their State Legislator of the Year during a ceremony hosted by the Fresno County Fire Protection District.
Hurtado was honored for her leadership and committed support for the state’s special districts, which provide fire protection, water, sanitation, parks, healthcare, mosquito abatement, and other essential services to communities throughout California. The California Special Districts Association (CSDA) annually recognizes state and federal legislators that are exemplary supporters of special districts’ legislative issues.
In 2021, Hurtado was instrumental in securing $100 million in California’s Fiscal Year 2022 State Budget for special districts’ COVID-19 fiscal relief. The senator successfully organized a 46-member, bipartisan, and bicameral coalition of state legislators who urged Governor Gavin Newsom to extend COVID-19 relief funding access to special districts, and led letters encouraging Newsom to approve the Legislature’s $100 million allocation included in its dually passed budget bill.
“A majority of special districts across the state financially struggled after widespread exclusion from pandemic assistance for state and local governments,” said CSDA Board President Ryan Clausnitzer, General Manager of the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District. “That changed after Senator Hurtado’s leadership and organization of a legislative coalition supporting specific state funding for special districts’ COVID-19 response and recovery. This, as well as Senator Hurtado’s collaboration with special districts to provide community services and support districts’ issues, makes her very well deserving of this honor.”
Senator Hurtado also participated in a special districts workshop with Kings County special districts seeking federal American Rescue Plan Act pandemic assistance, the result of which led to County supervisors allocating $500,000 in funds to fully cover customer arrearages incurred during the pandemic through August 31, 2021. In the past, Hurtado has hosted community events in partnership with special districts, including a mobile health tour at the Calwa Recreation and Park District in Fresno. Her office has also routinely and proactively engaged with special districts on state and local issues.
“With this funding, often forgotten and left behind rural communities, like Calwa Recreation and Park District – that are special districts will get some relief,” said Senator Hurtado. “I am honored to be recognized, and will continue to fight to ensure California’s Special Districts – who serve so many – are able to continue to provide their vital services.”
The Fresno County Fire Protection District, where Senator Hurtado accepted the award, received an $867,207 allocation from the $100 million special districts COVID-19 recovery fund that Senator Hurtado supported. The fund was dispersed to 263 independent districts across the state.
“The Fresno County Fire Protection District extends our utmost appreciation for Senator Melissa Hurtado’s commitment, support and guidance of state special districts,” said Dan Urias, Fresno County Fire Protection District Battalion Chief. “Senator Hurtado’s leadership and foresight has aided in our Fire department’s successful navigation through the COVID-19 pandemic.”
CSDA and special districts across the state invite state legislative representatives and the public to get to know the special district leaders who provide essential services to local communities. The Association launched a public outreach campaign titled “Districts Make the Difference” to connect people with the special districts that help California thrive. Additional information can be found at: www.districtsmakethedifference.org.
More than 2,000 independent special districts provide essential public services in communities across California that other governments do not otherwise provide. Elected or appointed boards of directors govern each district to oversee delivery of services to diverse communities and regions throughout the state. CSDA represents more than 1,000 districts in the state legislature and provides professional development and training opportunities for districts’ good governance practices.